Topics

Equality, diversity and human rights

New and updated

  • Type:
    Legal timetable

    Sexual harassment added to whistleblowing legislation

    Updated to reflect that sexual harassment is added to whistleblowing legislation with effect from 6 April 2026.

  • Type:
    Legal timetable

    Ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting

    Updated to reflect the publication of the Government’s consultation response and press release on 25 March 2026 confirming plans to legislate for mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting, with implementation dates still to be confirmed.

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Victimisation

    The case of Fullah v Medical Research Council addressed the issue of victimisation protection, confirming that this protection remains in place even if an employee’s earlier claims have not succeeded. Any later treatment linked to a protected act can still result in a valid victimisation claim under the Equality Act 2010.

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Indirect discrimination

    The recent case of Dobson v North Cumbria Trust [2026] dealt with an employer’s ability lawfully to refuse flexible working requests if it can demonstrate a proportionate justification for its policy, even where the refusal to some extent disadvantages or inconveniences certain employees (eg women with childcare responsibilities).

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Discrimination law: The protected characteristics

    The recent case of Ngole v Touchstone clarifies that, when concerns are raised about how an employee manifests a religious belief, employer action should be directed at how an employee's religious belief is expressed, rather than at the belief itself, regardless of how objectionable and upsetting that belief may be.

  • Date:
    13 March 2026
    Type:
    Commentary and insights

    Bringing advocacy to the workplace - showing up for immigrant colleagues

    In a simpler world, it would be possible to separate our "work lives" from our "home lives" - our personal characteristics would not adversely influence our workplace experiences. However, argues global inequalities specialist Georgie Williams, if anything has been learned through diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the workplace over the last decade, it is that the world of work is inextricably linked with our personal lives and the wider societal context we find ourselves in.

  • Type:
    International

    Global gender pay gap audits comparative table

    As of March 2026, only a few member states have adopted binding measures to comply with the EU Pay Transparency Directive. In France, employers with 1,000 employees must publish gender representation data for senior managers and board members and meet a minimum 30% representation of each gender from 1 March 2026.

  • Date:
    5 March 2026
    Type:
    Podcasts and webinars

    Webinar: Gender pay gap reporting and action plans

    Unlock the essentials of effective Gender Pay Gap (GPG) reporting in this focused 30-minute webinar designed to help HR and reward professionals stay compliant, confident, and ahead of regulatory change.

  • Date:
    4 March 2026
    Type:
    News

    Government launches gender pay gap and menopause action plans

    The government has today formally launched equality action plans, where employers set out what they are doing to address gender pay gaps and support menopausal staff at work.

  • Type:
    Legal timetable

    Gender pay gap and menopause action plans

    The Government has published guidance for employers on creating an action plan and reviewing policies to meet the needs of employees experiencing menopause.

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HR and legal information and guidance relating to equality, diversity and human rights.

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